Benitez takes issue with Irish question http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/sto...;issue_id=14409 LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has a pleasant demeanour. Avuncular in appearance, the Spaniard always appears approachable, eschewing the intimidating glowers favoured by Premiership rivals Jose Mourinho, Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. When forced to face the media, that managerial trio frequently adopt the 'this milk has gone off' expression which in no way attempts to mask the obvious irritation being experienced. But with Benitez, smiles are readily available and, while one assumes facing the ever-ravenous press pack is as onerous for Rafa as the rest, most of the time any irkdom induced by that chore is admirably suppressed. Most of the time. Yesterday, at Anfield to announce Liverpool's reacquaintance with sports clothing giant adidas and launch the various strips for the coming season, Benitez let the mask slip - and it was the Paddies' fault. Press conferences can be a chore for all involved. The interviewees, unless they are still in the thrall of the spotlight, would rather be instantly beamed to the planet Anywhere Else. Equally, every hack would prefer a one-on-one, which, in theory, carries the opportunity of insight, a bit of depth to the character teased out via various conversational wiles and a great deal of false bonhomie. More importantly, a sit-down gives you a chance of getting one up on your rivals - a jealously hoarded question which, if the subject deigns to answer, produces a nugget of information which is, hopefully, exclusive. Press conferences, however, are a verbal free-for-all. You might have the question of the Millennium but, once it is voiced, the response becomes the preserve of the throng. This is why, when formal proceedings are concluded, the subject's departure is impeded by a succession of desperate journos hoping for "a quick word". The result is that, unless there is naivety or rage at the top table, press conferences descend into a game of 'go fish' where the aim is not to give anything away. Yesterday's conference was proceeding along expected lines. The English hacks, well fed and watered, were lobbing up full tosses which Benitez was batting back with casual indifference. Yes, pre-season is going swimmingly with summer signings Gabriel Paletta, Fabio Aurelio, Mark Gonzalez and Craig Bellamy slotting in well. "The players are working really hard. I am very happy with the squad we have. "I do not yet have a clear idea for the new players - just to see how they train and how they progress. "We will continue working and maybe this week we will sign one or two more, we will see." No, he is not concerned by Bellamy's somewhat troubled past and feels the Welshman can become an integral part of the team. "I knew the player, I liked the player. He is doing everything very well at a very high tempo. I am really pleased to see him training. "He is a Liverpool fan and you can see he wants to play well for us, not to impress me but because he wants to play well." Of course he was worried about the World Cup hangovers experienced by Steven Gerrard, Peter Crouch, Jamie Carragher and Xabi Alonso but those concerns have evaporated. "They have been out for some time. They switch off. But, working with them I think they like being back (with the club) and are eager to start again. Also, they have seen the new boys and I think they are happy." The words had a bullet-like finality that forbade further discussion on the issue and Rafa sought succour in the next easy-paced English delivery Whether or not he was genuinely enjoying himself was impossible to gauge, but a visibly relaxed Benitez went on to describe his squad as the perfect "professionals" and refuted any notion that the Premiership title was destined for the Stamford Bridge trophy room for the third year on the hop. So far, so gentle. Then . . . enter the Irish. "Could you comment on your interest in Damien Duff, were you trying to sign him?" Cue sound of record scratching. Instantly, Benitez tensed, his eyes narrowed and, while every answer up to this point had been delivered in an easy drawl, this question produced a startlingly curt reply. "I think he is signed enough for Newcastle," he shot back. "Yes but were you interested in . . ." "He is a very good player." The words had a bullet-like finality that forbade any further discussion on the issue and Benitez swiftly sought succour in the next easy-paced English delivery. It was an illuminating moment. There is a danger of reading too much into such a short exchange but, on the day Ireland's most talented player was launched by the perennial underachieving Magpies, there were definite grounds for detecting deep frustration in Liverpool's supremo. With Harry Kewell maddeningly inconsistent and Gonzalez an unproven quality, Duff could have had a stage to showcase his considerable qualities after a period of hibernation at Chelsea. His trickery and delivery down the left would have been ideally suited to Liverpool's little and large strikeforce of Crouch and the revitalised Robbie Fowler. The fact that he chose Newcastle, and that they snapped him up for just £5million would seem valid reasons for irritation on Benitez's part. Duff may well have been the missing piece in Liverpool's Premiership jigsaw and, while the true nature of their title credentials remains hidden, we may just have got a glimpse yesterday of the passions that rage behind their manager's calm exterior.
